Thursday, December 18, 2014

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day


 As a Christmas countdown of sorts, I am going to write about certain Christmas carols that I truly love.  You will probably notices themes of peace, love, joy, and hope.  To start, I chose this oft overlooked song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow because, well, we need a little more peace in this world.  Also, I love church bells.

If you've even glanced at the news lately, you'd hopefully agree that a little more peace would go a long way.  But thanks to Christ, there will one day be peace on earth, and we can all work to make it just a little more peaceful now. 

This rendition of the song by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is absolutely stunning and reminds us that inner peace is possible despite the terrible things going on around us.  It's worth the nine minutes and really gives tribute to this song better than I can.

Then maybe we can all choose a way to bring a little more peace to the earth.




If you don't have time for the video, please peruse the lyrics.

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.


And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."


Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."


Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."


Text: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807-1882
Music: John Baptiste Calkin, 1827-1905

From:  LDS Hymnbook page 214

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